Academics and researchers play a crucial role in national life, including advancing intellectual discourse and responding to various developments and challenges in implementing the constitution and democracy in Indonesia.
This is especially pertinent given the recent trends in the country’s legal climate, which show a decline in enforcing democracy, law, and human rights.
Therefore, experts and academics must organize themselves to provide critical insights and contribute to maintaining and improving the rule of law and democracy.
This was highlighted at the Open Press Conference and Convention of the Constitutional and Administrative Law Society (CALS) held at the Statue of Lady Justice, Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada, on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
The convention, organized by the Center for Democracy, Constitution, and Human Rights Studies (Pandekha), was attended by UGM Constitutional Law lecturer Dr. Zainal Arifin Mochtar, Bivitri Susanti from STHI Jentera, Herlambang P. Wiratraman from UGM, Susi Dwi Harijanti from Padjajaran University, Charles Simabura from Andalas University, and Denny Indrayana.
Susi Dwi Harijanti stated in the declaration reading that CALS is committed to advancing, developing, and applying constitutional and administrative law based on values that uphold ethics and the law for human civilization’s progress.
“The constitution, based on principles of collegiality, transparency, accountability, and participation, serves as the legal foundation for an independent and critical organization regarding how those in power exercise state authority,” she said.
In his address, Dr. Mochtar noted the nation’s increasing social, ethical, and scholarly erosion.
“This is our teaching to persist. This is our platform to assert that this is the defense we must build,” Dr. Mochtar stated.
He emphasized that scholars should remain steadfast in their adherence to scientific values, humanitarian values, and the nobility and dignity of legal ethics.
Following this, various figures and academics shared their thoughts and views on Indonesia’s current legal situation and their expectations for CALS in the future.
Generally, these figures and academics hope CALS will remain independent and uphold its integrity.
Charles Simabura hopes that CALS will continue to be an academic organization that voices concerns amid the silence of critical academics.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang